KVR Audio

dirtysnow · Post by **dirtysnow** » Mon Dec 16, 2019 12:24 am

I'll be giving a short (~2h) seminar to high school students early next year. They have musical training and experience with scoring software but not with DAWs.Windows and mac laptops for sure and hopefully no linux. I need something that is free and cross platform that allows them to save projects.

Given that I won't have much time I think Reaper is out. Would also ideally avoid time-limited trials though that isn't out of the question. I don't know if they'll be setup beforehand so lengthy registration forms and licensing software is not optimal. I'd like the solution to include a synth and a sampler with at least one western orchestral instrument. I realize I might be looking for a unicorn but hey, stranger things than unicorns exist all over the place.

I'll be checking out Studio One Prime next. All recommendations and insights much appreciated.

Andywanders · Post by **Andywanders** » Mon Dec 16, 2019 1:15 am

Not cross-platform but free and really good.

https://www.bandlab.com/products/cakewalk

Or...

Cross-platform and free, but not so good IMHO...

https://www.tracktion.com/products/t7-daw

BBFG# · Post by **BBFG#** » Mon Dec 16, 2019 1:20 am

Free and true cross platform for Win/Mac/Linux:
Ardour:
https://ardour.org/news/5.0.html

planetearth · Post by **planetearth** » Mon Dec 16, 2019 1:30 am

If you want to demo something they'll probably actually use when they finish the class, you'll probably be stuck using a time-limited demo version of one of the top 4 DAWs (if you can get one). Learning one DAW workflow (like Ableton Live) and then switching to another (like Cubase) is very frustrating, so if your students can stick to one workflow while they're learning, they'll be less frustrated.

For example, you can get Ableton Live Lite for free, and it works on Windows 10 and Mac OS. There is also a free (but not terribly useful or stable) version of Pro Tools, which is also cross-platform (PC/Mac). But if you really want to cover Linux too, you're looking at something like Reaper or Bitwig. Reaper works "experimentally" on Linux, and you can get a 60-day trial version for free. That should be enough to spend some time learning it and demoing it. And it's something your students might actually want to use when they finish the class. As a bonus, your students can get started with it for around $60 (USD) once the class is over.

I don't use any of these DAWs, but people swear by them, so your students won't be stuck learning something that was free...but not very useful.

Steve

zzz00m · Post by **zzz00m** » Mon Dec 16, 2019 6:01 am

Studio One Prime probably comes closest to your requirements.

The main limitation to that is you cannot bring your own VST plugins. But it does include a sampler (rompler) with a small preset instrument library, called "Presence XT". https://www.presonus.com/products/Studi ... e-versions

Studio One Prime is completely free, with no expiration date.

If you are looking for a live sampler, you might want to consider Ableton Live Lite. It includes a basic sampler called "Simpler". https://www.ableton.com/en/products/live-lite/features/

The catch with Live 10 Lite, is that it requires a serial number bundled with select hardware and software products. However you can buy the similar Live 10 Intro for $99. Or else sign up for a 30 day trial. https://www.ableton.com/en/shop/live/

Scrubbing Monkeys · Post by **Scrubbing Monkeys** » Mon Dec 16, 2019 10:31 am

mulab by mutools has a free track limited version. Easy, fun, lots of instruments and features.

mutools.com

oops nevermind. I think it was once that way but now just demo that doesnt meet your requirements.

Tj Shredder · Post by **Tj Shredder** » Fri Dec 20, 2019 6:18 pm

Tracktion
https://www.tracktion.com/products/t7-daw
I think they even open sourced it...

Paree · Post by **Paree** » Sat Dec 21, 2019 11:44 am

Tj Shredder wrote: ↑Fri Dec 20, 2019 6:18 pm Tracktion
https://www.tracktion.com/products/t7-daw
I think they even open sourced it...

+1 for tracktion. They opensourced tracktion engine, not the DAW.

dellboy · Post by **dellboy** » Sat Dec 21, 2019 2:00 pm

Cakewalk Bandlab Sonar.

A couple of years ago it cost $499 and was buggy.

Since Bandlab have owned it there have been constant updates and the bugs have been vastly reduced. It has also been improved with ARA 2 support and lots of other enhancements.

Now its free and better than ever.

Its a No brainer.

rockstar_not · Post by **rockstar_not** » Sat Dec 21, 2019 5:07 pm

track toon and BandLab. Two completely different takes on DAW, both completely free and no limitations. It’s a great time to be alive

jackoo · Post by **jackoo** » Sat Dec 21, 2019 6:03 pm

Maybe I could suggest something simple here:
LMMS
https://lmms.io/download

It's free, light (30MB) and cross-platform. Also it seems to have evolved a bit.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3qfa9hGJzoY

dirtysnow · Post by **dirtysnow** » Sun Dec 22, 2019 6:40 am

Thanks everyone for the insight, I really appreciate it. I'm going with Studio One Prime. I like how beginner friendly it is, and the included rompler content zzz00m mentioned seems like an excellent intro to this domain. The piano roll tools make it very accessible, and the included loops etc will hopefully be sufficient to make this session a very good quickstart. I don't have long with the students so lack of oscillators, own plugins and whatnot is not an issue. Maybe another day if this goes well.

Cheers

recommend a free cross platform DAW please